Hockenheim: Racing Engineering race one report

Borja Garcia in the points!
Borja Garcia has been able to break his run of bad luck that
has lasted for nine races and has finally been able to score
his first points in GP2. As an additional benefit, Borja will
start Sunday's race from the...

Borja Garcia in the points!

Borja Garcia has been able to break his run of bad luck that
has lasted for nine races and has finally been able to score
his first points in GP2. As an additional benefit, Borja will
start Sunday's race from the front row.

It wasn't so easy for Borja Garcia to score his first points.
Starting from 5th position, the Racing Engineering driver
suffered with an oversteering car throughout the entire race.
Additionally, towards the end of the race, he had to face a long
brake pedal. These problems didn't make it any easier for Borja
to defend his position in the points, fighting against a strong
competition. Borja didn't want to take too many risks at the start
and possibly get involved in a crash with Piquet or Pla. Running
in 5h position until the obligatory pit stop, Borja rejoined the
race in 8th position. Keeping the winner of the last race, Olivier
Pla, behind him for more than 25 laps, Borja has definitely
proven his great driving, as well mental capacities, during this
fight. Finishing the race in 8th position would have normally
allowed Borja to start the Sunday race from pole position
tomorrow.thHowever, as Ernesto Viso's car, who finished the
race in 7 position, was not found to be according to the
technical regulations during the marshall's check, the BCN
Competicion driver was disqualified and Borja moved up into 7th
position. Starting from the front in Sunday's race, Borja's goal is
to finish within the first 6 and be able to score points again. Like
this, he will attempt to finish off his most successful weekend in
the championship so far.

A real deception was what has happened to Neel Jani during
Saturday's race. Having made an excellent start, making up 4
positions and a very fast early pit stop, the Racing Engineering
driver was on the way to a top result. A problem with the gear
selector however caused a sudden end to his good run and
forced the Swiss into the pits. This technical problem, and as a
consequence, an early retirement, decrease Neel's chances for
a good position in the Sunday sprint race. He has to start from
18th position. But there remains the satisfaction of being able to
demonstrate, if he wouldn't have had the cited inconvenience,
that Racing Engineering once more was able to provide its
driver with a competitive car that is able to get into the points.

Borja Garcia after scoring two points commented, "I finally
scored in the GP2 Series! However, I suffered from quite a bit of
oversteering during the entire race. Additionally, towards the
end of the race, I also suffered from a long brake pedal. We will
now try to solve these problems. Starting from the front row
tomorrow will be challenging. My goal is to stay within the first 6
and score points again".

After suffering from a technical problem, Neel Jani said, "There
isn't so much to say today. I had a really good start and a top pit
stop. This allowed me to overtake Kovalainen in the pits and
nearly Pantano as well. Joining the race after the stop, I already
noticed a problem with the gearbox. The problem got worse
from lap to lap and I had to let other cars pass me until I was
forced to retire in the pits. It's was a pity since I was doing really
well today".

Alfonso de Orleans-Borbon announced, "Borja did a great job.
He didn't feel the car ran well as in qualifying and has to fight to
stay in the points. He will start tomorrow's race from second
position, so lets see how we will do. On the other hand, it is a
real pity for Neel. He did good race and I am convinced he
would have made it to the points today, but the gearbox
problem ended all his hopes".